Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd – "Best of The Herd"

Release Date: March 25, 2025
Host: Colin Cowherd
Produced by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Description: The Herd with Colin Cowherd navigates through the top sports stories of the day with insightful analysis and spirited debate. In the "Best of The Herd" episode, Colin Cowherd delves into significant topics spanning the NBA and NFL, featuring expert commentary and compelling discussions.

1. Luka Doncic’s Trade to the Los Angeles Lakers

Duration: [02:30 – 12:00]

The episode kicks off with a deep dive into the blockbuster trade sending Luka Doncic from the Dallas Mavericks to the Los Angeles Lakers in exchange for Anthony Davis. Colin Cowherd critiques the rationale behind the Lakers' decision, questioning the long-term viability of Doncic compared to LeBron James.

Key Points:

• Trade Analysis: Colin argues that trading Luka suggests concerns about his defensive capabilities and injury history. He posits that Doncic lacks the all-around excellence of LeBron, particularly in defense and leadership.

  Colin Cowherd [05:15]: "They wouldn't have traded Doncic if he was in great shape and was an unbelievable defender. They traded him for a reason, because they saw holes in his game."

• Impact on the Lakers: Discussion centers on the Lakers' prospects without LeBron at peak condition. Colin emphasizes that without LeBron, the Lakers struggle even with Anthony Davis, highlighting past instances where the team underperformed without their star player.

  Colin Cowherd [09:45]: "The Lakers get throttled by bad teams without LeBron at 100%. They've lost seven of ten games now he’s not quite in game shape."

• Comparison to LeBron James: Colin contrasts Doncic’s leadership with LeBron’s ability to elevate teammates and maintain team cohesion. He underscores LeBron’s superior on-court intelligence and leadership qualities.

  Colin Cowherd [10:30]: "LeBron is a great on-court coach and leader. Doncic often barks at refs or trash talks, which is different from LeBron's approach."

2. Aaron Rodgers’ NFL Contract Saga

Duration: [12:00 – 25:00]

Transitioning from basketball to football, Colin examines quarterback Aaron Rodgers' ongoing contract negotiations, scrutinizing his strategic patience and potential team fits.

Key Points:

• Rodgers’ Strategy: Colin suggests that Rodgers is deliberately holding out for a better contract, possibly eyeing the San Francisco 49ers and their quarterback prospects.

  Colin Cowherd [17:20]: "Aaron needs to go on another darkness retreat. He’s waiting on the Niners, Brock Purdy. I don't think the Niners are going to pay Brock Purdy $59 million a year, which is what Rodgers wants."

• Critique of Current Situations: He critiques the Pittsburgh Steelers’ offensive strategies and Tomlin's inability to effectively utilize Rodgers, labeling the Steelers as "fool's gold."

  Colin Cowherd [20:10]: "The Steelers is fool's gold. Tomlin can't figure out the offense. It's been seven years. Forget about it."

• Market Dynamics: Colin analyzes the broader market for quarterbacks, drawing parallels with Kirk Cousins’ timely signing with Atlanta and emphasizing that high-demand quarterbacks like Rodgers have leverage.

  Colin Cowherd [23:50]: "He’s too smart to commit to Pittsburgh and not get the contract he deserves. He's waiting for the right opportunity."

3. NBA Load Management and Tanking Concerns

Duration: [25:00 – 40:00]

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the ongoing debate about load management and tanking within the NBA, exploring how these practices impact league quality and fan engagement.

Key Points:

• Load Management: Colin discusses how veteran players taking rests affects team performance, particularly highlighting stars like LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

  Colin Cowherd [30:00]: "Load management is bad, but the young players like SGA, Tatum, Ant want to play. The older guys like LeBron want time off, which creates inconsistency."

• Tanking Issues: He addresses the challenges of late-season tanking, where teams intentionally lose to secure higher draft picks, and its detrimental effect on the viewing experience.

  Colin Cowherd [35:45]: "Teams like the Pelicans and Sixers played embarrassing lineups last night. The league has tried to fix tanking by flattening lottery odds, but it's still hurting ratings."

• NBA’s Structural Problems: Colin asserts that tanking is an "unsolvable problem" embedded within the league’s competitive structure, drawing comparisons to other sports' inherent issues.

  Colin Cowherd [39:00]: "Every league has an unsolvable issue. The NBA’s tanking hurts ratings and fan engagement, and there's nothing the league can do to fully eradicate it."

• Impact on Non-Playoff Teams: He laments the decline in game quality for teams out of playoff contention, noting that fan interest wanes as the season progresses.

  Colin Cowherd [38:15]: "The quality of basketball in the NBA March is garbage for non-playoff teams, which is turning off fans and hurting ratings."

4. Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Performance

Duration: [40:00 – 50:00]

Colin and co-host Jason McIntyre evaluate Giannis Antetokounmpo’s evolving role and performance, discussing the Milwaukee Bucks’ current standing and future prospects.

Key Points:

• Giannis’ Evolution: The discussion focuses on Giannis' development, particularly his struggles with mid-range shooting and free-throw consistency, which are crucial for the Bucks' competitiveness.

  Colin Cowherd [47:35]: "Giannis has to have a reliable mid-range and consistent free throws, which hasn’t happened."

• Bucks’ Aging Roster: Colin highlights concerns about the Bucks' aging roster and lack of athleticism, suggesting that without Giannis improving certain aspects of his game, the team may fall out of contention.

  Colin Cowherd [48:05]: "The Milwaukee Bucks look dated because Giannis hasn’t evolved at the rate expected, making them less competitive."

• Comparisons to Past Success: They compare Giannis to legendary players, noting that his current form doesn’t match the transformative impact of past superstars.

  Jason McIntyre [49:11]: "If Giannis develops his mid-range and free throws, the Bucks wouldn’t look as old and out of contention."

5. Prospects of Cooper Flagg in the NBA

Duration: [50:00 – 55:00]

The conversation shifts to the promising young talent of Cooper Flagg, with Colin praising his well-rounded game and potential to become a franchise cornerstone.

Key Points:

• Comparison to Paolo Banchero: Cooper Flagg is lauded as a versatile player comparable to Paolo Banchero, capable of both individual brilliance and effective team play.

  Jason McIntyre [49:37]: "He’s the complete package, similar to Paolo Banchero, with the ability to play as a team player and lead when necessary."

• Skill Set and Potential: Colin emphasizes Flagg's maturity on the court, his playmaking abilities, and his athleticism, suggesting he could rival established stars if nurtured correctly.

  Colin Cowherd [50:15]: "He's like Jayson Tatum, but more developed at his age. He does everything well without being outstanding in one particular area."

• Future Impact: The hosts anticipate that Flagg could become a key figure in the league, potentially transforming his team’s fortunes and contributing significantly to the NBA’s future landscape.

  Colin Cowherd [50:28]: "He’s very good at everything, which makes him a potential cornerstone for any franchise."

6. Overall NBA Landscape and Future Prospects

Duration: [55:00 – End]

Wrapping up, Colin and Jason reflect on the broader NBA trends, including the rise of young stars, shifting team strategies, and the league’s adaptability to evolving playing styles.

Key Points:

• Youth vs. Experience: The dialogue underscores the tension between veteran leadership and the burning desire of younger players to maximize their playing time, impacting team dynamics and performance.

  Jason McIntyre [54:45]: "Young players like Tatum and Ant want to play every night, while veterans want to take nights off, leading to inconsistent team performances."

• Strategic Adjustments: They discuss how teams are adjusting their strategies to balance player health with competitive ambitions, though challenges remain in maintaining high-quality play across the board.

  Colin Cowherd [54:12]: "The NBA has tried to tweak load management by setting game minimums for awards, but it’s only a partial solution."

• Future Stars and League Evolution: The conversation hints at forthcoming talents and the NBA's adaptation to changing playstyles, ensuring the league remains dynamic and competitive.

  Colin Cowherd [53:02]: "We have to get used to the bottom half of the NBA tanking, but emerging stars like Cooper Flagg will keep the league exciting."

Notable Quotes

• Colin Cowherd on Luka Doncic’s Trade:

  "They wouldn't have traded Doncic if he was in great shape and was an unbelievable defender. They traded him for a reason, because they saw holes in his game." [05:15]

• Colin Cowherd on Lakers Without LeBron:

  "The Lakers get throttled by bad teams without LeBron at 100%. They've lost seven of ten games now he’s not quite in game shape." [09:45]

• Colin Cowherd on Aaron Rodgers’ Patience:

  "Aaron needs to go on another darkness retreat. He’s waiting on the Niners, Brock Purdy. I don't think the Niners are going to pay Brock Purdy $59 million a year, which is what Rodgers wants." [17:20]

• Colin Cowherd on NBA Tanking:

  "Every league has an unsolvable issue. The NBA’s tanking hurts ratings and fan engagement, and there's nothing the league can do to fully eradicate it." [39:00]

• Jason McIntyre on Cooper Flagg:

  "He’s the complete package, similar to Paolo Banchero, with the ability to play as a team player and lead when necessary." [49:37]

Conclusion

In this episode of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, listeners receive an incisive analysis of major sports events and trends, particularly spotlighting Luka Doncic’s trade to the Lakers, Aaron Rodgers' contract deliberations, and the persistent issues of load management and tanking in the NBA. Colin Cowherd, alongside guest Jason McIntyre, offers thoughtful critiques and forward-looking perspectives, providing valuable insights for sports enthusiasts and casual fans alike.

Note: The provided summary focuses solely on the substantive content of the episode, excluding advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content segments to ensure clarity and relevance for readers unfamiliar with the original podcast.